Strasbourg My First 1st Class (Part 1)

"Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter." -- Izaak Walton

.....Brussels-Paris-Strasbourg...... 3 cities in a day.. wow....(this is running through my head that day!)

From Paris Est at 6pm my train ride smoothly. TGV runs with average speed of 300kms per hour. I think im lucky enough to get the First Class ticket with the price of 2nd class wich is 40 Euro.

Strasbourg is an important city located between French and Germany. Thats where i am heading after Brussels. Theres some places that i book marked on my Lonely Planet books that been my guide for past few days.

I got text messeges from Mr T said that he drive from Karlsruhe, right from work. I met Mr T last year when i went to Macau. This time he invite me to see Europe, and its been 7 months since last time i see him! i hope he really there, if hes not..GRRRHH!!

The service is so so... i prefer 2nd class perhaps. I think this is the first time i regret to get the first class/luxury treats. Because i think its not for me. From the very beginning i step on the train with my extra bulky purple luggage.... This is the veru first time for me to ride train in Europe. My experience with train is quite less.

In Sumatra-Indonesia not much train, only return journey from Bandar Lampung to Prabumulih is my chance to get a train ride, that was back when i was in University, almost 10 years ago. The other chance to ride train in Java island is from Jakarta to Bandung. And even if its executive train, its a whole different train--all i could say: "ohh sh*t" when i see the other passengers with tie suite...Armani, Hugo Boss.. ohh.. Shuuuuuuutt! and an old lady with white grey hairs sit down elegangt on the seat i know i'm doomed.

Me on the other side wearing my flat, my black pantyhose (thank Lord i had brain to buy it at Champ Elyses!!) the best skirt that i had on my luggage, and a clean white shirt. I feel like a house maid on wrong train. Huhuhuhu...

Its not over with the feeling, i did made sure i am on the right train #13 first class and i look at my seat number is 61. So i sit down on the first 61 seat number. And this guy, age 35-45 come with snob face, maybe he had a drama school or something, so over react (perhaps too much opera) bhe stood with his ticket waving it on air say "this is my seat, hello this is my seat" he could ask to me if i get wrong seat. I said its 61 i show my ticket and he said "no its mine he show his ticket to me and point it right to my face" such a harsh guy. And then all sudden an old guy say "Miss i think this is your seat" i cant help say thank you to that guy. The jerk stood in dramaticly way and nod to everyone i think he could hear an applause there (jerrkkk!!) i sit on my seat and say thank you to that old guy, giving my best smile. He just smile and said no problem.

Its such humiliating moment, i just hate it instantly.. killing my mood for sure. The car it self very nice, you had electric socket and the seat are amazing. Talk about the seat, i just realize that me and that jerk actually right. There are two numbers on each seat. so Theres two 61 seat number on this car.. well well... difference only where that seat face...i didn't see that!! beside don't blame me i've done great job trying to interprete the ticket which is in FRENCH language!

During the trip i trie dto connect with wifi that available on the train.. but then if i want to use it i have to subscribe. So all i did just update my blog with word :( not cool! i tried to do something else like going to toilet and explore a bit... the next car is restaurant... there are plenty people there... all speak in French.. i could see some of them from my car with their suite and tie and black shiny shoes.. errhh.. i feel im very lost :( i just wish i could see someone in plain tshirt and shorts.. with friendly smile..

I got back to my seat and just try to enjoy the scenery.. at the average 300kms/hour this trin just like a bullet on a rail!! the view is amazing, i could see cows, houses and rivers.. some huge field with grass.. very different vegatation than Indonesia. Sun still shines as if its 3pm in Indonesia. I know its over 6pm and the sun lights fall on the scenery outside made it as unforgetful sight for me.

The beauty of Europe at a glimpse thats the correct thing to say. I wave to some people that wave to me from outside its fun...hahaha a bit hill billies but.. ijust like it when they smile and wave to me when the train slower-when it gets to a small city... i like how they live there.. surrounded by mountains.. theres kids with bicycle.. must be fresh and healthy there... very different than a small village in Indonesia for sure!

Its over 8 pm and i know that we're closing to Strasbourg as the train get slower and there are more houses outside. I see some factory, farms and i see a sign said Strasbourg Gare, oh my! its very close... i could see that some of the passenger even get ready and get their stuff on the compartement above.

We finally arrive nearly 8.30, i was so damn hungry!! i just ate crackers!

As the train stop, i just dont want to get any more attention i just let everyone goes down first--include the anoying guy. I was the last passenger on the train...

When i get down, there he was Mr T with LoL his "Germany" best looks hahahaha!! black tshirt, short and socks and sandal LoL thats very Germany. He looks like upset hahah! he was he told me about the traffic jam and he said something about trying to drive here fast because he afraid that he's going to be late.

Surprise, Mr T drive a car. Hahaha its rental car, but well... i think hes not use with driving! There are still sun lights when we drive out the station. We look for dinner that night.

One of Strasburg church

Theres not much i could see on the first night since its pretty late... i could see little bit around city as we walk down the city.. almost everything closed at 9pm! oh my! hahahahah

Strasburg streets- everything is closed after 9pm!

I went to several places that  night and actually quite spooky because less lights there... we went to a church and somehow went to the Cathedral. I wish i could see the view at night must be amazing.

spooky tower...

There are several people passes by, and we actually use tram to get from one point to another. The tram at Strasburg running until midnight. And its quite convinient actually. I rarely see taxi tho.

Strasburg cathedral at night

I dont know if i consider this good, but i am glad i could took some of pictures at night because some of this places must be very touristy at day light! but all i could say everything is clean, the road too...




Strassburg Cathedral door carvings 



Strasburg cathedral at night

We rushed back to hotel as we feel very tired after walking sevrela hours. Its close to midnight and there are less people walking on street already. Some bars still open tho..

Strasburg traditional house, i like it!

This guy create publications first time!

Mr T said Strasbourg is  the city of publications since its the very first time the printing machine invented here... i note.. i thought chinese found it first?? he just said i dont know hahahaha!

Midnight at Strasburg-empty street

Paris-Strasbourg Kelas 1 yang bikin down! (Part 1)

.....Brussels-Paris-Strasbourg...... 3 kota dalam 1 hari saja.. wow....(gak kebayang aku bakalan ngelakuin ini semua..)

Aku berangkat dari kota Paris jam 6 sore waktu setempat. Kereta TGV yang aku naikin smooth banget gak unjlak2an kek kereta di Indonesia.. berasa dalam pesawat malahan... TGV ini kecepatan rata2nya di atas 300kms/jam. Dan eng ing engg gue dapat kelas 1 sodara2.. harga tiket yang gue dapat bahkan lebih murah dari tiket kelas 2 yaitu 40 Euro.

Strasbourg termasuk salah satu kota penting di benua Eropa. Terletak di perbatasan Perancis dan Jerman. Kota ini tujuan ke tiga setelah Paris dan Brussels dalam itinerary ku. Aku juga dah bookmark beberapa tempat dari lonely planets ku buat di kunjungi.

Pemandangan dari luar kereta bagus banget loh, kek iklan2 susu di Indonesia.. banyak ladang rumput yang luas banget, pertanian.. ada kuda2 yang segede gaban, beserta sapi hitam putih yang jarang aku liat di Sumatra... anak2 main sepeda yang nunggu kereta lewat dengan pipi mereka yang merah2 kek peach! uhh uhhh.. dan pegunungan dengan pohon pinus...

Aku juga dah dapat sms dari from Mr T dia bilang dia bakalan jemput aku langsung dari tempat kerja. Mr T adalah host aku selama aku berada di Jerman. Aku pertama kali ketemu sama Mr T waktu aku pergi liburan ke Hongkong dan Macau tahun kemaren.

Mr T tinggal di Karlsruhe jadi lumayan agak jauh juga dari tempat dia. Ini kali pertama aku ketemu lagi setelah lebih 7 bulan gak ketemu.. huhuh rada deg degan juga sih masih sama kek dulu gak ya orangnya! haha dan berharap banget dia datang buat jemput akyuuu.... tapi rules dengan back up plan tetap aku jalanin.. aku juga sudah contact teman lama aku dari Stuttgart buat cadangan kalau2 nih Mr T gak bisa host aku atau jemput.... i hope he really there, if hes not..GRRRHH!!

Servis di kelas 1 ternyata biasa aja.. aku juga bingung apa sih kelebihannya? selain tempat duduk yang super gede gini.. mau di recliningpun kekenya mustahil sebab dengan tinggi aku yang 173cm aja jarak lutut sama kursi depan aku kurang dari sejengkal.. kebayang kalau aku recline seat ke belakang pasti yang duduk di belakang aku ngoceh2 pake bahasa  perancis atau jerman..... matelah awak!!

Aku terusterang lebih suka kelas 2 atau ekonomi deh kalau kek gini... tapi berhubung murah tiketnya kenapa ngga kan??? ini kali pertama aku agak nyesal berada di kelas 1 yang luxury banget. Sebab aku cuma ngerasa... aku bukan berada di tempat aku... hiks... kek nyasar gitu deh perasaan..

Dari awal aku naik ke gerbong ini dengan tas koper gede warna ungu aku... dan di bantu sama om2 genteng banget ya olloh.. dan harumm...... ini kali pertama aku naik kereta di Eropa. Bukannya di Indonesia aku juga sering naik kereta loh... mana ada kereta di Jambi hahaha...

Di Sumatra, kereta cuma ada di Aceh, Medan, sama Padang... daerah Riau, Jambi ngga ada... karena tanahnya rawa2 gitu sih kata orang tua. Pengalaman gue naik kereta di sumatra cuma dari Prabumulih Palembang ke Bandar Lampung PP itu aja... dan itu mungkin 10 tahun yang lalu waktu aku masih kuliah di UNILA.

Kalau di Jawa aku pernah naik 1 kali dari Jakarta ke Bandung. Memangsih kelas executive.. tapi itu waktu aku umur 13-14 tahun hahaha jadi hampir 20 tahun yang lalu!!

Kereta ini mewahnya berasa bo..jadi waktu naik aku cuma bisa bilang: "ohh sh*t" penumpangnya juga aje gile... setelan jas SEMUA haduuh piyeeeee..iki.. wong deso.. kok nyampur sama yang kek ginian...Armani, Hugo Boss.. ohh.. Shuuuuuuutt! trus yang ibu2nya dandanan juga mewah dengan kalung mutiara segede batu kali elegan banget.. cewek muda ada juga tapi tampang esmud juga, pake setelan hitam dengan stocking dan rambut rapi gitu... ohhhhhh matelaaah awaaakkkkk!!

Gue sudah pake pakaian terbaik gue.. yang cuma ada waktu itu black flat shoes, black paty house, rok pendek warna hitam putih sama baju kaos oblong warna putih.. nyantaaaiii banget! (syukur2 gue beli tuh pantyhose di Champ Elyses!!) Rok juga atu2 nya yang ada di dalam tas hahahah berasa jadi babu di kereta mener2 Huhuhuhu...

 

Baca selengkapnya di Nona Backpacker

Europe trip; book your ticket online!

I would say most of the transport ticket during my trip to Europe was booked while i was sitting nicely in deep Sumatra jungle a.ka while i was on my working day in remote place and while at home (where i have to sit on the porch dancing with mosquitoes and trying to get full bars signal at same time).


There are more than one traveling website that said we must book in advance to get the cheap ticket to Europe, and it does really work that way. The more you sit and wait to the departure date the more the price sky high!! do not wait, book your Europe trip tickets early! (6 months in advance better!!).

The thing you need for online booking? of course, good internet speed, and a credit card!! ^,^


The tickets that i got online is my return flight with Lufthansa from Singapore to Paris and Munich to Singapore, which is open jaw (i think i will explain about what open jaw is somewhere). Also i got my self a return Eurolines bus ticket from Paris to Brussels. And the last one is the train ticket from Paris to Strassbourg i order it from SNCF website.

For the Lufthansa flight ticket i got help from a travel agent, since my credit card limit only like $500 and the flight total cost is around US$900 (return).

And the Eurolines buses, i did it my self, with my very limited French, yepp i did the website is in FRENCH language maybe that time i was so careless that i didn't see the top right side for ENGLISH language, but the link i gave here already in English.

The same thing happens for the train ticket from SNCF, its all in FRENCH language. Oh dear... do use the online google translator for your kindness if you don't know FRENCH language!! First page is in English but when you about to go to SNCF booking page (when you click "buy a ticket" button on the top left previous web) it doesnt have "english options" well again unless if i really did missed the button of course!!

But the truth, with my very limited French, i could easily book the buses ticket and the train without hassles! its not that hard, really!

Most of the ticket that i got are with cheap fare/promotion rate. For return bus ticket i got it for 18 Euro (Paris-Brussels-Paris) and for the train ticket---well this is the most amazing one, FIRST CLASS on TGV train, which is the super fast train, i got the very last seat offer for 40 Euro only!!! the normal rate for TGV train 1st class is above 100 Euro, and 2nd class is like 36-40 Euro or something so, i got it dirt cheap!!! hehehe.... (the advantage of joining the mailing list!! they will alert you for cheap price!!) sometimes the last minute deal could be this cheap, so keep your eyes open on the website!

For the train from this website you still had many other choice for trains. I think the cheapest train is the sleeper class at night/night train. But from Paris to Strasbourg where  i want to go to its only took like 2 hours and i dont need the sleeper class! oh and also, the 2nd class not that much difference than 1st class, so no worry about the comfort thing.. its only 2 hours trip! (train is very clean and nice also!!)


Don't wait too long! its worth the online booking!! (price & the QUEUE-its killin'!!)

Paris~Day Out With My Host!! (Day 2)

If you reject the food,  ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people you might better stay at home...

James A. Michener 

I was talking to Guillaume last night until about 1am. We talk a lot about things. He missed Indonesia for sure! we talk in Indonesia, and sometimes in English when we can not find the words to say hahah!

He cook for me last night too, it was very nice! and i sleep smiling with full tummy and happy thought about i had new friend here in Paris. I can not say how lucky i was because he was willing to accept me at his apartment!

His apartment is small as he said on couchsurfing and i don't expect much, its enough, the sincerity and welcome feeling that i had, its more like staying with your old friends! I gave him the Glen Fredly MP3 CD not really what he expecting, but i could see he missed the song hahah so he feel ok with that! (so sorry! could be better than that!!)

So  the next day, Guillaume promise will spent sometimes with me.. well i think its ok, because he seemed so busy, but awwww he just so nice! so wake up at 8, and we walk from his apartment, we will explore Montmarte!! but we had to do it quick because he had to go back to his workplace and prepare some stuff for a meeting in his hotel. I said thats fine :)

First place we see is the Sacre Couer. It was a mix of everything its beautiful, the building also the park near it.... we actually only walk only like 2-3 kilometers from Guillaume apartment.. the surrounding neghbour hood are awesome, Guillaume said this is where the Paris rich people live.... beside that the location on the top of the hill made us possible to see the whole city from the front of the Cathedral.

Inside the cathedral, i was amazed by the mural on top of the Cathedral. I was amazed how much effort people made to show their love to God. I definetly speachless to see it my self... there was 4 huge angels carved in very detail shape, also the lights help to pop up the angels characters....

We went for lunch with some frites and gyros again. He knows that i can not eat pork, and its so nice to meet someone who could understand this without judging first!

At his work place, as i assume Guillaume still very busy with a meeting that he had to arrange at his hotel. So, i decide to explore a bit the area surrounding his work place. Its actually pretty close to Jardin du Luxembourg and the palace.

It was beautiful!! i like the trees and the artsy statue... and to enjoy this by my self i feel slight guilt... i wish i share it with my sisters or my very best friends.. huhuh.. wish you were here guys!

Spending sometimes at park, and visit the palace with loads of people enjoying the sun.... its an amazing palace.. its just too bad i spent literally 10 minutes for pictures and just passing by in front of the park.. as i had to go back to Guillaume working place.

I will recommend it, as a must see if you went to Paris!! its beautiful with the trees and lots of people jogs.. amazing place to enjoy the sun with fountain and lots of statues .... love it...

When i went back Guillaume done with his job, he said sorry over and over hahaha.. i don't really that mind.. i spent sometimes at the garden too... so i wasn't missing things that much!

So from his work we went to the city center then walking along Seine river. Its around 4 that time....

Parisiens--people of Paris, love sitting and drinking wine with friends and enjoying their time at the river banks... sitting down enjoying sunset.. it was beautiful afternoon. Its also a romantic place to walk with your SO... i wish... *sigh* Mr T is here hahahaha.....

So we decide to do the BatoBus tour! the price is 14 Euro (stab my pocket deep hahaha!) but its really worth to try when you dont have enough time or only had short stay in Paris...

My Paris BatoBus pass

With this pass i could take the boat and jump within 8 stops; Champ Elysees, Louvre, Hotel de Ville, Jardin des Plantes, Notre Dame, St Germain de Pres, Muse D'Orsay, Tour Eiffel. But because this is the last boat then i am so very lucky then..and not lucky too hahah because i can not jump on and off the boat!

So... i better gave you a glimpse of my amazing tour!!

 

Love this picture from Seine River

Paris Afternoon @ Seine river

sunset at Paris

Wedding on Seine cruise at sunset.. aww.. this is VERY romantic!!

Sacre Coeur-Loveit!!

Inside Paris Batoboat Tour

Meet Guillaume my very..very sweet host!!

Parisiens dans Seinne (hope this is the correct french! haha)

Sunset at Paris Pont Neuf Bridge

Pont Neuf

As the final stop for the boat, also the enclosure is.... of course the Eiffel tower!!

Eiffel from distance

Its a very beautiful sunsets with Eiffel standing above the Seine River... there are hundreds romantic song playing in my head.. i feel static.. i came so far for this... i TAKE FRENCH course to get here.. but i never thought.... this is it!! i am heeeerrrrrrreeeeeeee!!!

Je t'aime bien!!

As i get closer to this tower, i swear i feel going to cry.. its so beautiful! I just can't believe i went here not with my husband or even boyfriend.. ugghh! lame... but i always thank God, i did had the chance to see it my self... with all of the grace and..errh tourist.. hahaha...

Eiffel and grey afternoon sky..

Me & Eiffel from Seine

This is sooooo perfect afternoon!

Sampe jugaa!! finally here! i can't believe it! its EIFFELLL!!!

We stay for a while to watch the lights show from the park near the Eiffel. After that we had long ride back to Guillaume Apartment. I can not stop talking about how beautiful it was! i bet Guillaume think i was a crazy babbling girl! but i had the most awesome afternoon... ever!

Paris Adventures-Day 1 part 2 (with pictures)

....Its just me and my pocket camera in action around Paris on my first day.....

Setelah letakin tas aku lanjutin petualangan aku di hari pertama di Paris. No jet lag buat Fika-----sok kuat! bwahahaha!

Dari Stasiun Vavin aku turun di Les Halles.. tadinya mau nyambung buat ke Louvre-Rivolli.. Tapi aku piker rugi banget kalo aku Cuma liat underground melulu! Jadi aku pilih jalan aja…

Dari sana aku keluar ke jalan.. wowo belum apa2 dah ada bangunan yang menarik banget.. mirip sama mesjid dengan kubah besar berwarna biru kehijauan… dan di dekat sana ada jalan yang isinya restoran sama café dan begitu banyak manusia yang duduk di kursi2 yang di sediakan di trotoar jalan, menikmati sinar matahari judulnya…

Aku jadi lapar juga… baru ingat Cuma makan sarapan sama Jacobs di Airport Munich. Cari tempat buat makan aku lumayan keder secara dah lama gak bicara bahasa Perancis… oh miiii Gooodddddd….

Pesan kentang goreng dah berasa kek kuiz pecahkan sandi rahasia campur tebak2an ala pramuka… amit2… tapi berhasi memesan kentang goreng dengan satu gelas jeruk dingin…

Lumayan… tapi eitsss.. kenapa minum gue gak dikasih.. lirik tetangga yang lain.. ternyata self service tapi .. mereka di kasih gelasnya kenapa aku tidaaakkk.. huhuh… enak aja lumayan itu 3 euro.... jiwa pelit mengalahkan rasa malu..

Jadilah aku colek om tampan sebelah bilang “Vous Parlais Anglais?”/bisa bicara bahasa inggris gak? (jurus sakti gue hahahah!!) doi magut2 aku Tanya soal minuman, dan aku juga gak dikasih return pembelian loh.. si om tiba2 berdiri dan jalan ke kasir dan minta gelas Styrofoam buat gue cihuyyyy baekkknyaaaa… mana senyumnya tersipu malu gitu (sampe pengen ngelap tisu dimulut apa ada sambel di bibir ya?)

Oh ya soal sambel.. kemana2 aku bawa sambel sachet ABC sama kecap manis!! Disini kalau mau makan saos itu harus beli!! Sama kek minumannya! Gyaaaa!!! Pelit banget sih!! 

Beruntunglah saya bawa sambal ABC sachet (jurus turis gembel nomor sekian) tadi.. lumayan hemat sekian sen.. hohoho…

Kenyang makan frites alias kentang goreng sama minum jus, aku liat lagi ada toko kelontong kecil di seberang tempat aku makan…aku masuk dan beli air botolan yang 1 liter.. huhuh sakit bo!!!!, air botol harganya hampir Rp 15.000,- sebotolnya. Ya ampuuunnn di Indonesia mau beli satu liter setengah aja gak ada 1 euro.. huaahhh! kudu simpan botol plastik nih!! *buat di isi nantinya kalo ada keran!*

My 1st Picture

Aku jalan lagi dan sampe di Place de Victoires dan ambil beberapa foto lanjutin jalan melewati Banque de France, Bank Indonesia-nya Perancis. Hehe.. guardnya cakep, lirik2 gitu deh doi.. hohoh.. foto dulu…

Bank of France in Paris

Trus aku jalan lagi ternyata dah nyampe di daerah Petite Champs.. aku senang dengan cuacanya.. walaupun sinar matahari luar biasa ngejreng teriknya tapi gak panas (salah besar jendral!! aku pulang ke Indonesia dengan kulit gosong!!)

Aku malah masih pake jaket aku dan gak keringatan… well orang lain lalu lalang dengan rok pendek dan celana pendek gak masalah juga siihhh tergantung dengan kemampuan masing2…..kalau aku masih butuh jaket sebab anginnya lumayan kencang jadi dingin gitu juga…

To be continued lagi... (foto2nya di upload dulu)





Louvre Palace

Me & Louvre

Random shoot around Louvre Palace

Louvre from Front-Place du Carrousel-Jardin Des Tuileries

School Kids Touring with bicycle in Paris -- tertib dan rapi!!

Pont Neuf  

Pont Neuf-Seine & Eiffel in distance

Pont de L'Archeveche-Paris Love Bridge

Palace de Justice

Notre Dame Cathedral-Paris

Tourist thing-It will bring you back to Paris again they said??

Inside NotreDame-Joanne D'arc my fave girl and the rose stained glass, AMAZING!

A park/Jardin behind the NotreDame Cathedral

Another park across NotreDame

Paris, je t'aime!!! Paris day 1-Part 1

Its Paris.... i am hereee!!  bwahaha! sumpeh loooo!!

Sampai di CDG/Charles De Gaulle sekitar jam 10 lewat lumayan bingung juga sebab semua petunjuk dalam bahasa perancis . Aku coba artiin aja dikit2.. huhu walopun jadi anak asuh paling bandel waktu kursus bahasa perancis lumayan ada gunanya juga dikit2. Dari pesawat lumayan jauh juga menuju ke tempat pengambilan tas… aku rasa aku naik ke ban berjalan paling lama yang pernah aku naikin.. keknya naik ke terowongan dulu..

Aku yang tadinya ngantuk berat somehow feel so ecstatic, alias gak ada ngantuk2nya… semua hal di sini beda dengan di Indonesia… dan all sudden aku jadi mahluk langka, kebalikan dengan di Indonesia, bulenya sedikit orang indonesianya banyak…

Akhirnya aku ketemu juga tempat pengambilan barang yang ada di lantai entah yang keberapa (sebab melalui tunnel yang panjang (naik ke atas pula) dan naik tangga lagi…. Hummmm

Kesan pertama sama CDG entah kenapa aku lebih suka Changi Airport… lebih terang dan lebih jelas… warna abu2 CDG jadi ngebuat kusam… sama orang yang buru2 lalu lalang sana sinih jadi bikin tambah bingung. Huhuh… tapi aku kok ngerasa excited aja ya!!

Its brand new thing, the languages is so different! Bahasanya beda banget… aku juga dengar bahasa selain Perancis di sini.. aku kagum dengan Eropa yang mixed kek gini! Kalau Asia yang gado2 gitu di satuin kek gini jadinya apa ya??

Sudah di tempat pengambilan bagasi aku liat monitor dan liat penerbangan Lufthansa yang aku naik tadi ada di belt 11… tapi setelah hampir satu jam… kok…tas aku gak keluar2 juga.

Sambil nunggu aku buka tas file aku dan liat alamat Guillaume, host aku yang di Perancis sama nyiapin “carnet” yang dikirim sama my beloved Mr T (baekknyaaaaa!). Oh ya, aku pake Couch Surfing buat stay di Paris. Dengan Couch Surfing kita bisa tinggal di rumah orang Perancis dan lumayan merasakan tinggal sama orang Perancis tuh sehari2 gemana sih??

Nanti deh aku tulis soal Couch surfing ini khusus di salah satu postingan aku. Oh ya… couch surfing ini gratis loh! Aku gak mau nulis ini sarana buat menghemat, tapi memang pengeluaran untuk hostel yang sekitar 60 Euro/malam diluar sarapan... jadi lumayan terselamatkan uang awak! Tapi jangan semuanya di gantungin sama host ya… ini bukan sarana gratisan… jangan “ngaruk” kata orang Sumatra… jangan kelewatan!

Aku tinggal sama host aku ini selama 2 malam, totalnya 3 hari 2 malam. Mudah2an hostnya baik.. aku baru ini ketemu langsung dengan orangnya. Dia kebetulan pernah ke Indonesia beberapa kali.. ini juga alas an aku kenapa aku milih tinggal dan percaya sama dia (gak ada comment negative soal dia, terutama dari cewek2).

Setelah nunggu satu jam.. tas aku belum nongol juga….Waktu dah mulai panik aku liat lagi tas aku nongol huahuahau… ada juga akhirnya. Setelah puas narsis2 sekitar airport aku jalan mengikuti petunjuk arah “METRO” to city train.

RER sign at Charles de Gaulle

Di Paris ada 2 sistem kereta api, METRO dan RER. Kalau RER kereta untuk perjalanan yang rada jauh (linenya melingkar dari luar kota paris sampe ke dalam). Sedangkan Metro untuk di dalam kota dengan jarak yang deketan (dalam radius 1 kilometer).

Stasiun kereta ada satu lantai di bawah bagian kedatangan. Dan sebelum lift ada counter bagian informasi jadi aku sempati Tanya mbak2 di sana soal metro yang bakalan aku pilih. Sebab aku pernah baca Metro Perancis itu yang paring ruwet sedunia!! Gak tau gara2 terlalu sophisticated atau gara2 apa jadi kalau udah salah jurusan bisa wasting time sama money banget deh!

Udah ngantri di lift tiba2 mbak2 di bagian informasi dah nyetopin rombongan gue bilang kereta tutup (errh terjemahan aku dari bahasa perancis dia) lhaa.. kan baru siang kenapa tutup coba??

Aku coba Tanya kiri kanan makin banyak penumpang yang numpuk di pintu lift.. lhaa ada apa ini?? Setelah 1 jam aku Tanya sana sini ternyata ada demo di kota yang buat stasiun di tutup.

Errhhhh… apa udah saatnya buat back up plan sekarang?

Aku balik lagi Tanya ke bagian informasi yang jauuuhhh lebih rame dari sekarang. Aku janjian sama host aku jam 7 malam waktu Perancis jadi masih ada banyak waktu. Aku udah kirim sms dengan kartu As ku yang sekali lagi Berjaya di Paris! (hidup telkomsel!!) oh ya.. biaya per 1 sms?? RP 4000,-/sms!!!!!

Aku bilang delay, ketinggalan pesawat, dan sekarang demo.. huaaaahhhh.. serunyaa!! TT.TTv

Setelah beberapa saat kita ngantri dan udah mulai sesak rasanya gara2 rame… sebagian yang ngantri dah milih naik bus.. sebenarnya aku juga niat naik bus.. tapi aku milih kereta aja deh.. yang pasti di mana berhentinya!!

Stasiun bus-Gare routiere ada di terminal 3 juga jadi ikutin aja arah yang nunjukin arah stasiun RER

Di lantai bawah, ada petunjuk lagi buat naik kereta antar terminal CDG, jadi ya udah aku naik aja dari tempat aku T2/Terminal 2 ke T3/Terminal 3. Sekali lagi… lebih nyaman di Singapore… kereta yang ini lebih kecil dan lebih empet2an dengan penumpang lain…

Didalam kereta di depan aku mana ada pasangan yang bikin gerah.. huhuh keknya mau/habis berangkat kemana gitu jadi keknya melepas rindu banget huhu.. sirik dot com.

Anyway.. aku suka juga betapa expressive manusia2 di sini gak malu2, tapi yang lain juga keknya gak keberatan dengan mereka.. aku jadi sumringah sendiri.

Sampe di stasiun Metro semua pada buru2 ngantri di mesin karcis.. huhuh mampus kuadrat.. gemana pula ini! Aku gak tau KK aku bisa di pake apa ngga… malu bo kalo decline… aku liat uang yang di terima itu uang koin..huhu..aneh banget dah!!

My carnet ticket from CDG to City....

Setelah agak sepi aku baru deketin salah satu mesin dan liat ada pilihan bahasa. Langsung rubah bahasa inggris… aku denger2 banyak banget kartu kredit yang di tolak sama mesin ini, baca doa sakti mudah2an KK BCA aku gak di decline huhuhu… demi tiket ONE WAY seharga 8.70 Euro bo! (Rp 113.000,-).

Pencet sana dan sini… puter2 roda mouse....dan menunggu moment yang menegangkan… terdengar suara mesin print dan tiket yang di jatuh kan dan bukti transaksi.. cihuyyyy…. Berhasil!

Oh ya untuk yang beli tiket harian atau paket untuk ke aiport kereta berbeda, dan haru beli tiket sendiri/gak termasuk yang dalam paket mingguan atau 3 harian itu. Sebab tiket itu hanya untuk di zona dalam kota.

Kereta di Paris terbagi dalam beberapa zona loh…. Untuk zona 1-4 itu termasuk wilayah dalam kota kalo gak salah… jadi masih bika pake tiket terusan atau yang paket tapi berhubung CDG letaknya jauh di luar kota kita harus beli lagi deh tiket yang bentuknya sama persis sama “carnet” tapi ada tulisannya kok CDG hehe

Dapat tiket langsung di “validasi” di mesin yang mirip sama di Singapore, jangan lupa ambil lagi tiketnya ya.. tiket masuk dari depan mesin trus keluar lagi di bagian atas… nanti kalau di kereta mendadak dangdut ada yang periksa dan kamu gak punya tiket, dengar2 dendanya 40 Euro… lumayan bikin jatuh miskin mendadak!! (udah miskin bertambah pula derita awak….emaakkk!)

Turun ke stasiun peron kereta.. uhhhh…yang bener aja.. bau pesing bo! gelap pula.. kek mana ini kalo malam..serem....Yah… ini lah beda Perancis/Eropa sama Singapore lagi… disini kek nya bau pesing rada normal… amit2 dah…

Gak berapa lama kereta dating, dan aku pertama bingung cara naiknya… berhubung yang di Bangkok dan Singapore sama di Hongkong pintunya otomatis aku jadi diam berdiri kek patung nunggu pintu kebuka.. ternyataaa.. gak otomatis sodara2!!! Perlu di tarik kedua gagangnya baru bisa kebuka… haduuuhh… jadi malu huahuahha…

Naik di kereta, aku langsung pilih tempat duduk yang paling belakang yang kosong… keretanya juga biasa aja.. kek kereta di Jakarta.. kelas ekonomi yang banyak graffitinya…

Pemandangan di luar kereta juga ngeliatin daerah sub urbs Paris yang kumuh, ada rumah lucu2 ada bengkel… kek Indonesia tapi dengan bentuk rumah, vegetasi/pohon dan bunga yang beda… pokoknya semua beda….

Sinar matahari terik banget Cuma udaranya sejuk banget, aku liat di airport, suhu udara sekitar 18 derajat selsius, dan orang Paris senang banget sama cuaca kek gini!!

Menurut petunjuk dari Guillaume, aku mesti turun di stasiun Port Royale setelah stasiun Luxembourg (Line biru B2 atau B4). Masih jauh banget….dan aku gak perlu ganti kereta dari CDG.. alhamdulillhah…

Di Gare du Nord penumpang banyak yang naik… aku jadi bisa liat beraneka ragam manusia… semua ada kelebihan dan kekurangan… and I had the chance to see all of this.. I am a very lucky girl… aku tersenyum sendiri dengan renungan ini…

Di stasiun Port Royale aku turun dengan tas ungu yang gede… naik ke jalan… hummm… aku jadi hilang orientasi… mana arah barat dan timur ya? Gak ada pilihan lain aku Tanya tante2 yang lagi ngerokok di luar stasiun.. dia nunjukin satu arah ya udah aku jalan… gak berapa jauh aku di setopin sama cewek muda, dia bilang aku Tanya apa sama ibu2 itu? Aku bilang aku nyari Hotel tempat teman aku kerja Namanya Hotel Ville Luxembourg, dia bilang oh, arahnya malah kebalikan… haahhh? Trus dia bilang hati2 sama orang gitu nanti aku malah tambah di buat nyasar.. haduuhhh… aneh deh…

Aku baloik arah dan melewati stasiun, dan si tante masih di sana, dia naikin bahu, nanya ada apa, aku bilang wrong dengan tanda silang, dia Cuma angkat bahu lagi sambil mencibir… lhaaa…

Yah sutralah… aku gak mau bête di Negara orang.. jalan dan lihat hotel itu aku langsung titip tas aku… si Guillaume belum dating, jadi aku titip tas dan langsung ngacir keluar… sebelumnya temannya kasih tau soal satu stasiun kereta yang lebih….dekat, tapi ini RER jadi beda system sama METRO, namanya stasiun Vavin, di jalan yang sama “Blvd de Port Royal”.

Louvre & my "Monalisa" smile!

Dari sini bakalan aku lanjutin ke Part 2 ya......